Miami Cottage: Private Pool & Topical Garden

The Miami Pool Cottage is a beautifully restored two-bedroom guest house set within a half-acre tropical garden in El Portal, one of Miami’s most charming and historic neighborhoods.

Here, your days move at a gentler pace: mornings begin with sunlight through the avocado leaves, and evenings end beneath the palms by the fire pit. Whether you’re here for an extended getaway, a special family trip, or simply to recharge, this home offers space, serenity, and thoughtful service in equal measure.

A quick note on same-day bookings: To keep our properties and our guests safe, you`ll complete a quick online verification before your VRBO reservation is confirmed.

Highlights You’ll Appreciate

• Two private king bedrooms with soft, premium linens
• Comfortable sleeper sofa for added flexibility
• Fully equipped kitchen for home-cooked meals
• Bright living and dining area with ample space to unwind
• 15x25-foot pool with loungers, umbrellas, and floats
• Outdoor shower, gas grill, and fire pit for relaxed evenings
• Half-acre tropical garden with fruit trees, butterflies, and birds
• Gated entry, smart lock access, and complimentary parking
• Baby gear available on request (high chair, pack-and-play)
• Optional add-ons: early check-in, late check-out, pet stays, mid-stay cleaning, EV charging
• Reliable Wi-Fi and individual AC units in each room for personalized comfort

Thoughtful Hospitality

Guests often tell us their stay feels different—calmer, more personal, and easier—because of the way we host. We live nearby and are available when needed, but your privacy always comes first. Our goal is to offer a level of service you might expect from a boutique hotel, with the warmth and flexibility of a private home.

Every stay includes access to our local recommendations, so you can skip the tourist traps and discover the real Miami—beautiful beaches, vibrant neighborhoods, art, food, and hidden spots that locals love.

Outdoor Living

The garden is the heart of the property. Lounge by the pool, nap in the shade of a hammock, or gather around the fire pit at sunset. The handcrafted treehouse delights kids and adults alike, and the outdoor rain shower offers a refreshing rinse after a day in the sun. You’ll find mango, banana, avocado, and starfruit trees throughout the property—ripe for picking when in season.

Peace of Mind

We know that planning a stay involves trust and details. That’s why we partner with Truvi, a professional verification and guest screening service that ensures a smooth and secure booking process. You’ll receive your personalized access code 24 hours before check-in, and it will automatically deactivate at checkout.

Professional outdoor security cameras cover entry points for your safety, and the home is fully licensed and insured.

A Few Things to Note

• The pool is not fenced or heated; please supervise children.
• The garden is organic, so you may see small wildlife.
• Smoking, parties, and unregistered guests are not permitted.
• Max. occupancy: 6 guests.
• Quiet hours begin at 10 PM to maintain the tranquil environment.

Optional Services

We keep our nightly rate fair by offering optional services that can be added as you like: early check-in, late check-out, pet stays, EV charger access, and mid-stay cleaning. You can add these options and review their pricing on our guest portal. We’re happy to prepare the home for special occasions—anniversaries, birthdays, or simply a warm welcome after travel—with small, thoughtful touches to make your arrival feel special.

Perfect for Extended Stays

Many guests choose to stay longer here—whether to escape colder weather, spend time with family, or simply enjoy the sense of calm the property offers. The fully equipped kitchen, laundry, and spacious layout make long-term comfort easy, while the peaceful setting and attentive service ensure you’ll feel well cared for throughout your stay.

Why Guests Love It

The Miami Pool Cottage isn’t a modern condo or hotel—it’s a private guest house with heart and history, where comfort and care come first. From the fruit trees to the clawfoot tub, every detail has been chosen to make your time here restful, restorative, and memorable.

Come experience the quiet side of Miami—warm, green, & welcoming.

Before booking: Please review our house rules, complete guest verification, and sign the short-term rental agreement.

You’ll receive your private access code 24 hours before arrival. It’s set to activate right at check-in and will automatically expire at departure, making arrival and departure simple and secure. A smart lock on the cottage lets you enter effortlessly throughout your stay.

The entire cottage is reserved just for you. Tucked into the village of El Portal—Miami-Dade’s smallest and most storied neighborhood—you’ll feel worlds away, yet remain just minutes from I-95, both major airports, the beach, and the best of Miami’s culture and dining.

We live on the property and love to welcome you in person. Most guests enjoy a tour of the cottage and garden, but you can also book a self-check-in.

For your privacy and security, discreet outdoor cameras help ensure that only registered guests access the property.

A few optional amenities—such as early check-in, pet stays, or celebration setups—aren’t included in the nightly rate and must be arranged in advance. You’ll find all the details in our house rules.

El Portal is one of those rare places that still feels like a secret. A quiet village shaded by banyans and mango trees, it sits just minutes from Miami’s most iconic neighborhoods—yet holds a rhythm all its own.

Set along the Little River, El Portal was once sacred land to the Tequesta people, and something of that energy remains. Today, peacocks still wander its side streets. Neighbors wave. And the air feels just a bit softer beneath the tree canopy. It’s peaceful here—ideal for morning walks, afternoon bike rides, or evening runs beneath towering palms.

You’re less than a mile from I-95 and within easy reach of both Miami and Fort Lauderdale airports. In 15 minutes or less, you can be in Wynwood’s art district, toes in the sand at South Beach, or exploring the boutiques of Bal Harbor and Brickell. Whether you`re here for galleries and nightlife or slow mornings and long strolls, you’re well-positioned to explore it all—then return to somewhere calm.

For those who love a good wander, we’re happy to point you toward our favorite finds: the Art Deco walking tour in South Beach, open-air shopping on Lincoln Road, or a night of music and mojitos in Little Havana. And if you’re celebrating something special, we can help you mark the moment in just the right way.

The Village of El Portal has its own local police force, an unusually strong sense of community, and a long history of welcoming travelers. With us nearby, and the quiet of the neighborhood holding steady just beyond the gate, your stay will feel both private and safe.

If you`re bringing a car, you`ll find free parking either along the swale or just in front of the house, tucked beneath the shade of the trees. For those skipping the rental, rideshares like Uber and Lyft are common in the area and easy to arrange. Some guests even enjoy walking to nearby shops and restaurants—just be mindful that Florida heat doesn’t always make for the most leisurely stroll.

Your personalized access code will be active starting at 4:00 PM on the day of arrival and will automatically deactivate at 10:00 AM on the day of departure. The Cottage is secured with a smart lock to make entry smooth and secure.

If you`d like to request an early check-in or a late check-out, just let us know in advance.

What’s Included & How We Host

You’re welcome to enjoy all the amenities that make the Miami Pool Cottage feel like home:
The deck chairs and garden furniture, pool floats (yes, including the giant swans), gas grill, fire pit, treehouse, and washer/dryer are all here for you to use, free of charge.

Quiet hours begin at 10 PM to help keep the peaceful tone of the property for everyone’s benefit.

Please note: smoking, parties, and events are not allowed.

The Tree House is undergoing some repairs right now, and is not available for use.

At Miami Vacation Stays, your safety and comfort are our top priorities, especially during Florida’s hurricane season! While hurricanes are part of life here, cancellations due to storms are not covered. To safeguard your plans, we highly recommend travel insurance to cover any potential delays or disruptions! str.li/TravelInsurance

Power outages can happen occasionally, but don’t worry—we provide battery-operated lights and keep our homes fully storm-ready, with clear safety information to keep you informed.

The pool is not heated.

A Note on Optional Services
We’ve kept our nightly rate intentionally fair. Instead of building everything into the price, we offer a number of optional services you can add to make your stay more comfortable or celebratory—only if and when you need them.

You’ll find more details about what`s available in your Guest Portal, and of course, we’re happy to walk you through anything you`re curious about.
We`re thrilled to host you for an unforgettable stay at Miami Pool Cottage, where you can create lasting memories in a luxurious, family-friendly setting. To ensure everyone has a fantastic experience, please follow our house rules. Please review our Short-Term Rental Agreement below for detailed terms and conditions before making your Reservation.

Final Steps to confirm your Reservation

To confirm your booking, please complete our guest verification process online within 24 hours of making your Reservation.

You`ll receive a text or email from our partner, Truvi, with a link to complete these steps. These measures are designed to ensure your safety and enhance your stay. It also helps us avoid credit card fraud and combat human trafficking. For full cancellation details, please see our Short-Term